Australia clinch historic Argentina series after 28-28 draw

Australia secured their first rugby union series victory in Argentina after a 28-28 draw with the Pumas in the second Test in Mendoza. The result completed an unbeaten two-match trip for the Wallabies, who had won the opening Test 27-21 in Jujuy, and delivered the historic series outcome despite neither side finding a winning score in the closing minutes.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWIg2u7Hcc

The Guardian reported that Australia built a 14-0 first-half lead through tries from captain Harry Wilson and wing Max Jorgensen. Wilson finished a lineout move in the 21st minute, before Jorgensen scored seven minutes later after Australia drew in defenders with a succession of carries and moved the ball wide. Ryan Lonergan converted both tries.

Argentina recovered before the interval through captain Pablo Matera and Ignacio Mendy. Matera forced his way over from close range in the 36th minute after pressure from the home pack, while Mendy broke through from a set-piece move three minutes later. Santiago Carreras converted both, sending the teams into half-time level at 14-14.

Fraser McReight put Australia back in front shortly after the restart, driving through defenders for a 47th-minute try that Lonergan converted. Argentina hooker Ignacio Ruiz answered from close range in the 55th minute, and Matera’s second try, at the end of a 23-phase attack in the 65th minute, gave the Pumas their first lead at 28-21.

The Wallabies drew level with a penalty try after Carreras deliberately knocked down a pass near Argentina’s line. Carreras was shown a yellow card, shortly after Lucio Cinti had also been sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, leaving Argentina temporarily reduced to 13 players. Australia nevertheless could not convert that numerical advantage into a decisive score.

Argentina retained possession in the final passage but were pushed back toward their own 22 before Nicolás Roger kicked the ball out to end the match. The draw denied Australia a fifth consecutive victory, but it was enough to seal the series. According to The Guardian, the Wallabies will return home with a series win on Argentine soil for the first time.